About Me

Introducing

D. A. Abrams

D.A. (David Anthony) Abrams serves on the board-of-directors of Millersville University Foundation (Vice President); National Association of Asian American Professionals (Treasurer); and the Black Tennis Hall of Fame (Member). Also, D.A. is an Advisor to Wingdale Harbors, LLC; Bridge Lane Ventures; and Net Court Capital. Companies founded by D.A. are as follows: Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Group, LLC; Urban Ikon, Inc.; Kool Sir Dave Publishing, Inc.; and Dave Abrams Tennis Services, Inc.

Further, D.A. is the Chief Operating Officer at Groundswell. In his role, he designs and implements strategies that promote the company’s Vision, Mission, and Values, while overseeing operations to keep the organization focused on its Strategic Direction. His coverage areas include: People & Culture; Human Resources & Organizational Development; Legal; Finance & Accounting; Fund Development; Market Development & Deployment; and Research.

Prior to joining the Groundswell D.A. served as the Managing Director for the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning. While in the role (2019-2022), D.A. was responsible for cultivating a quality workforce fostering a more diverse financial planner workforce reflective of the changing US demographics and elevating the discipline of financial planning to increase the stature and recognition of financial planning faculty and educational programs and provide practitioners with cutting-edge knowledge to thrive while providing outstanding service to clients.

D.A. is the immediate past Chief Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Officer for the United States Tennis Association (USTA), a position he assumed in February 2012 and concluded in March 2019. While in the role, he focused on developing and innovating the USTA’s D&I initiatives on the national, regional, and grass-roots levels.

Abrams utilized a six-prong approach, while advocating D&I as one of the USTA’s core values. The Association embraced the D&I Strategic Approach to diversifying tennis for the good of the sport, which Abrams launched in 2013. During his tenure, the USTA operated under three different iterations (2013-2014; 2015-2016; and 2017-2018) of the “All Hands on Deck – Plan of Attack”. A major component of the plan was the “Cross Cultural Dexterity Training” program, which served to uncover unconscious bias, increase understanding of the negative impact of exclusionary behavior, and the power of intentional inclusion. He also developed a company-wide scorecard to measure the achievements of the USTA’s D&I objectives, as well as identify “Areas of Opportunity.” In 2013, Abrams launched a company-wide internship program. The program was implemented to provide diverse college-age students the opportunity to live the USTA experience for ten weeks.

He was also responsible for overseeing and cultivating the USTA’s 7 Business Resource Groups (BRGs). Under his leadership, the USTA has made significant contributions to the business of the organization, including enhanced partner benefits and a greater parental leave policy for both mothers and fathers. Under his leadership as CDIO, the USTA had heightened its Supplier Diversity efforts, with year-end spend with diverse suppliers surpassing 14%; developed 7 D&I Engagement Guides supported by an Engaging Diverse Markets: An Application Toolkit.

Abrams oversaw and operated the D&I training for all USTA Board of Directors, Council Chairs, Committee Chairs, C-Suite, USTA Staff, as well as the Presidents, Delegates and Executive Directors of all 17 USTA Sections. He served as a member of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Hispanic Engagement Advisory Committee, and was chair of the D&I Advisory Group at the USTA. All served to implement positive cultural change and address various areas of opportunity within the organization. In addition, Abrams was the chair of the USTA’s Accreditation Review Committee.

During his 26 years with the USTA, D.A. served as the Executive Director and Chief Staff Executive for the Association’s USTA Eastern (2006-2012) and USTA Missouri Valley (1997-2000) regional offices. In 2000, he was named one of Tennis Industry Magazine’s “Top 40 under 40” tennis executives.

And in 2017, he was inducted into the USTA Middle States Section Hall of Fame. And, in 2018, he was inducted into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame.

As a best-selling author and Certified Association Executive (CAE), Abrams has authored seven books – “Certified Association Executive Exam: Strategies for Study & Success”; “Diversity & Inclusion: The Big Six Formula for Success”; New-School Leadership: Making a Difference in the 21st Century”; “Association Management Excellence: Become an Expert by preparing for the CAE Exam”; “The Inclusion Solution: My Big Six Formula for Success”; “Make It Happen: 12 Steps to Reimagining Success and Creating the Career of Your Dreams”; and Where is Your Why?: A Formula of Building Blocks to Attain Success”. In 2012, Sports Business Journal highlighted Abrams in their “Executive Transactions” section and Savoy Magazine featured him and the USTA in its “Corporate Diversity Matters” section. In addition, he’s been featured on the covers of Associations Now Magazine (July 2012) and Diversity Executive Magazine (August 2013).

D.A. is a member of the USTA Middle States Hall of Fame, and the Black Tennis Hall of Fame. Also, he is a Backstage Capital Limited Partner, and Angel Investor.

D.A. currently serves as the Chairman and President of the Black Tennis Hall of Fame, the Treasurer of the National Association of Asian American Professionals Board of Directors, Millersville University Foundation Board of Directors member, Metropolitan State University Foundation – Outreach & Engagement Committee member. In addition, he is a former President of the Diversity & Inclusion Sports Consortium, and Advisory Board member of Diversity MBA Magazine,

At age 12, D.A. was introduced to tennis via the National Junior Tennis & Learning program operating at Mander Playground located in the Strawberry Mansion (North Philly) section of Philadelphia, PA. The program served as a gateway to many life changing opportunities. He became a nationally ranked junior player, and played tennis at Millersville University in Pennsylvania where he earned his undergraduate degree in business administration, concentration – accounting. Subsequently, Abrams earned a master’s degree from Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis, MN, and continues to learn by way of reading, writing, and travel.

"Purpose isn’t something you find — it’s something you build, brick by brick, through service, discipline, and belief in your impact."

— D.A. Abrams

The D.A. Abrams Portfolio

Shaping the Future: The Multifaceted Roles of D. A. Abrams

D.A. Abrams is a dynamic speaker, insightful coach, impactful DEI strategist, and best-selling author committed to delivering positive outcomes.

Purpose-Driven Thinker

Justine is passionate about helping people discover their deeper purpose — the “why” that fuels lasting success and fulfillment.

Builder of Practical Frame

She translates complex ideas into simple, actionable building blocks that readers can apply to their personal and professional lives.

Empowering Voice

Through her writing, Justine inspires individuals to push past limitations and align their actions with their true goals.

A Journey of Experience

Justine’s insights are born from real-world challenges, deep reflection, and a relentless pursuit of meaningful success.

Testimonial

What They Say

Where is Your Why? is already making a difference in readers’ lives. Here’s what early readers have to say about the clarity, insight, and motivation this book delivers:

"This book helped me reconnect with my goals and gave me the tools to actually start acting on them. It's like a roadmap for your mindset."

"Simple, honest, and deeply motivating. I finally understand what was missing in my approach to success — my why."

"Justine doesn’t just inspire — she gives you a framework to move forward. This is the book I wish I had five years ago."

Where Is Your Why?

About Me

Introducing

D. A. Abrams

The D.A. Abrams Portfolio

Shaping the Future: The Multifaceted Roles of D. A. Abrams

Purpose-Driven Thinker

Builder of Practical Frame

Empowering Voice

A Journey of Experience

Testimonial

What They Say

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